UFO Broadband (York only)

[ukpab]

I have had a broadband contract with Sky for the last few years on a product unique to the York area. It is a system called Ultra Fibre Optic  (UFO) and has download speeds of up to 1GB. It was a collaboration between Sky and Talk Talk. Sky wrote to me on Friday to say they were no longer going to be operating on the system and couldn't offer me an alternative package. I cannot swap to Talk Talk until I have been disconnected from Sky and this process could leave me with no broadband for up to a month. Both myself and my partner work from home so we have to have a permanent connection. 

I don't know why Sky are stopping the service - but they will disconnect me on the 18th October.  This is no way to treat customers...

Note: Edited title. Also, if some comments seem out of sync, i have merged two threads on the same subject.

[Snarfang]

Hi all,
We got the FTTP from sky when it rolled out in york in 2016? we've had the same router since sagemcom fast 4350, can anyone tell me if this is an old FTTP router ans if so would we be able to get a newer one from sky? 

I had been told this april that sky were stopping FTTP hosting in york, I hope that isnt the case as we havent had any troubles with sky, plus its our sons gcse year so swapping and changing providers especially if we have to wait 2-3 weeks could be annoying.

Snarf

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Snarfang 

Check below for current fttp status . Enter your full postal address below and post the full table for advice

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Snarfang 

As sky only introduced fttp independently in the last year the fttp you are referring may have been part of a trial with another fttp/cable operator

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Snarfang 

It appears to have been a trial with city fibre.  Status of the relationship unknown but there was another post in the last few months re similar situation. I'm trying to locate it

[TimmyBGood]

---

@cookiemonsteruk wrote:

@Snarfang 

As sky only introduced fttp independently in the last year the fttp you are referring may have been part of a trial with another fttp/cable operator

---

This was the UFO trial, an experiment with privately laid (non-Openreach) fibre from a partnership involving City of York Council, CityFibre, TalkTalk and Sky.   It appears to have been overtaken by the wider rollout of FTTP, and none of the original ISPs seem interested in continuing with it.

https://www.digitalyork.org/connecting-york/yorks-ufo/ 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@TimmyBGood 

Has it ended ? I assume people are being reverted to fttc or openreach fttp where available. I assume the infrastrucure is incmpatible

[Snarfang]

Thank you for the reply here is the table, which i find a bit strange  it says fft is not availible, as we are part of the sky/talktalk ufo 940.

ADSL Products Downstream Line Rate (Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range(Mbps) Availability Date WBC ADSL 2+ Up to 3.5 -- 2 to 6 Available WBC Fixed Rate 1 -- -- Available

Other Offerings Availability Date ADSL Multicast Available

Exchange Product Restrictions Status
FTTP Priority Exchange N
WLR Withdrawal N

SOADSL Restriction Y

The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

WLR is currently available at the exchange

SOADSL is restricted at the exchange

FTTP is not available.

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

The Stop Sale date for IPstream is from 31 Jan 2013. The Formal Retirement date for IPstream is from 30 Jun 2014.

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

Thank you for your interest

If you look at: https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Image-Dump-Zone-beta/UFO-map/td-p/2320376
we are in the green area.

Snarf

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Snarfang 

And even more concerning no mention of fttc.  Can you remember any mention of vdsl above the details that you did post.

[TimmyBGood]

@Snarfang @cookiemonsteruk 

I think it's an end-of-life project: that post is from 2019.  There was a discussion here a while ago where a UFO participant with a UFO subscription via Sky found it impossible to get any tech support, and was eventually put on standard Sky FTTC.

[Snarfang]

hmm that doesnt sound too good, i know cityfiber are taking over but we havent been properly informed if that makes sence. I thought i'd ask here as the twitter agent i spoke to today has no idea and has passed it on to the" relevant department"

Talktalk are happy to take over the fftp/h but we'd like to stay with sky.

Snarf

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Snarfang 

@TimmyBGood 

"There was a discussion here a while ago where a UFO participant"

That was the one i was trying to find

[Snarfang]

For allADSL and WBC Fibre to the cabinet (VDSL or G.FAST) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Snarfang 

The outcome of the other UFO participant was he was able to be migrated to sky superfast fttc something by the looks off is not available to you

[Snarfang]

Oh the joys yeah our cabinet is very full it took 2 years after we'd moved in 2013 for sky to be able to put us normal bb in then.  Thanks for trying to help all will have to see what this agent who's going to be in touch says. Shall report back 🙂 

Snarf